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May 1940
Prime Minister Mitsumasa Yonai leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes wearily. He was desperately trying to prevent Japan from allying with Germany and Italy, but each day was harder, as the Axis won victory after crushing victory. And we are already on a war footing due to that "6 month" war in China! Foreign currency reserves were dwindling, meaning that soon Japan could not buy scrap metal, oil, and other imports... He looked at the newspaper again. The mighty IJN had little to do now, as fighting in China moved farther from the coast. He wondered if it was possible... Ending the war in China, raising currency, allied with Britain against the USSR and perhaps the US. He straitened his back. It would be a gamble. But all great things were. He began drafting his message to the Japanese ambassador to Britain, Mamoru Shigematsu...
His Majesty's ambassador to the Empire of Japan Robert Cragie was feeling nonplussed. Although he agreed with accommodating the Japanese to buy time, this was nearly madness. Besides bypassing all the normal diplomatic channels, the proposal was audacious. As if everyone in the Foreign Office thinks it Nineteen bloody oh two! he thought. He pushed these thoughts aside as he began speaking," Emperor of Japan, thank you for your graciousness in allowing a servant of King George VI to address you. We are grateful to find you in health. However, outside our borders, a great evil arises that threatens both of our nations. We humbly ask of you, your Highness, to join us in this fight, to stand once more as brothers." Finished, Craigie held his breath.